Multi-Position Container Closure with Asymmetric Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures fail to simultaneously ensure minimal leakage during transport, reduce the need for additional sealing, and allow customers to inspect contents, particularly by smell, across various retail and transport contexts.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a shroud and engine that moves linearly or rotationally between multiple positions, offering different sealing states (closed, gas-only, and open) with varying force and torque requirements, ensuring minimal leakage and allowing controlled access based on position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure provides strong sealing to prevent leakage during transport, then reliability is improved, but the ability to allow customer inspection by smell deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure transitions from a static sealing state to a dynamic multi-position system. The shroud can move between closed (fully sealed), partially open (smell inspection), and fully open positions, allowing the sealing performance to be dynamically adjusted based on whether the container is in transport or retail display mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure provides different sealing qualities at different positions. When fully closed, it provides maximum sealing for transport. When partially opened to the first intermediate position, it provides localized opening that allows smell inspection while maintaining sealing elsewhere. This spatial differentiation of sealing quality resolves the contradiction between strong sealing and customer inspection.
2Ease of operation
If a closure uses a simple opening mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to provide multiple sealing states deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: the engine body, the movable shroud, and intermediate positions. The shroud is further segmented with different sections that can be positioned independently, allowing different sealing states (fully closed, partially open for smell, fully open) to be achieved through simple linear or rotational movement of the shroud to predetermined positions.
3Reliability
If a closure requires high force to prevent accidental opening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The force-torque characteristics are made asymmetric for different directions of movement. The closure requires high force/torque to move from the closed position to the open position (preventing accidental opening), but once opened, maintaining the open position or moving between intermediate positions requires less force. This asymmetric force requirement ensures security during transport while allowing intentional opening by the customer.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closure for a container, the closure comprising three positions. The invention further relates to a kit of parts for assembling such a closure. The present invention relates to a closure comprising an engine 110 and a shroud 109, the closure adapted to attach to the opening of a container to define an interior and an outside; wherein the shroud and engine are adapted to engage; wherein the closure can take a first position, a second position and a third position, wherein: a. the shroud moves relative to the engine in a linear fashion and a different minimum force is required to move the closure from the first position to the second position than to move the closure from the second position to the first position; or b. the shroud moves relative to the engine in a linear fashion and a different minimum force is required to move the closure from the second position to the third position than to move the closure from the third position to the second position; or c. both a. and b.; or d. the shroud moves relative to the engine in a rotational fashion and a different minimum torque is required to move the closure from the first position to the second position than to move the closure from the second position to the first position; or e. the shroud moves relative to the engine in a rotational fashion and a different minimum torque is required to move the closure from the second position to the third position than to move the closure from the third position to the second position; or both d. and e.